Device and method for operating a parking lot

Abstract

A device for operating a parking lot, includes a communication interface, which is configured to receive a parking inquiry for a vehicle in the parking lot from a user of a communication network via the communication network, and a processor, which, in response to the received parking inquiry, configured to ascertain a parking position in the parking lot for the vehicle based on an instantaneous and / or expected number of vehicles situated in an entrance area of the parking lot, the communication interface being configured to transmit the ascertained parking position via the communication network to the user so that the vehicle may park in the ascertained parking position. Also described is a method for operating a parking lot and a computer program therefor.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION[0001]The present application claims priority to and the benefit of German patent application no. 10 2014 224 601.6, which was filed in Germany on Dec. 2, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a device and to a method for operating a parking lot. The present invention further relates to a computer program.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0003]In the case of fully automated (autonomous) so-called valet parking, a driver parks the vehicle in a drop-off spot, for example in front of a parking garage, and from there the vehicle drives itself into a parking position / parking space and back to the drop-off spot. The driver may remain in the vehicle or leave the same during the valet parking.[0004]Unexamined patent application DE 10 2012 222 562 A1 refers to a system for managed parking areas for transferring a vehicle from a starting position into a destination position.[0005]For e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces or prevents backups by ensuring vehicles do not block following vehicles' paths, optimizing parking position selection based on real-time and expected vehicle density, thereby minimizing waiting times and resource consumption.

Problems solved by technology

For example, a back-up in front of a parking lot or in the entrance area of the parking lot including such parking areas may occur if many vehicles want to simultaneously park autonomously in the parking lot and the lot is not sufficient to cope with the number of vehicles.

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